Pipe support

ABSTRACT

A pipe support for supporting a pipe section above a ground surface, the pipe support including an upper support surface and at least one sidewall extending from the upper support surface to a base member. The upper support surface and the at least one sidewall form a hollow interior. The pipe support further includes a saddle formed in the upper support surface, the saddle recessed within the support surface to support a pipe therein. The saddle includes a first end and an opposed second end such that at least one of the first end or the second end angularly extends toward the base member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/508,556 filed Jul. 11, 2019, entitled “Pipe Support,” pending,issuing as U.S. Pat. No. 11,280,430 on Mar. 22, 2022, which claims thebenefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/697,366, entitled “Pipe Support”, filed Jul. 12, 2018, each of whichis hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally support members for supportingpipeline and in particular, support member for supporting a pipelineduring assembly and installation when in the trench and out of thetrench.

BACKGROUND

Installing buried pipelines generally includes digging a trench for thepipeline and laying out sections of pipe end to end and adjacent to thetrench line. Once laid out, the process includes joining the sections ofpipe into a continuous pipeline, next placing the pipeline into thetrench, and finally, backfilling the trench. However, the pipeline mustbe held off the ground during the pipeline assembly process, the joiningtogether of the individual sections of pipe, and upon installation ofthe pipeline in the trench. During the pipeline joining process, thesections of pipe are generally supported off the ground to prevent pipeand coating damage as well as to provide full and easy access to eachpipe joint for joining.

There are many methods of supporting the pipes outside the trench priorto joining. For example, large and heavy wooden skids may be used orlarge plastic support members may be used. However, many existingdevices are not sturdy, frequently fail, are heavy, costly, anddifficult to store and/or transport. Thus, there is a need to overcomethese disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect, there is provided a pipe support forsupporting a pipe section above a ground surface, the pipe supportincluding an upper support surface and at least one sidewall extendingfrom the upper support surface to a base member. The upper supportsurface and the at least one sidewall form a hollow interior. The pipesupport further includes a saddle formed in the upper support surface,the saddle recessed within the support surface to support a pipetherein. The saddle includes a first end and an opposed second end suchthat at least one of the first end or the second end angularly extendstoward the base member.

According to another aspect, there is provided a pipe support forsupporting a pipe section above a ground surface. The pipe supportincludes an upper support surface and at least one sidewall extendingfrom the upper support surface to a base member. The upper supportsurface and the at least one sidewall are configured to form a hollowinterior. A saddle is formed in the upper support surface, the saddlebeing recessed within the support surface to support a pipe therein. Thebase member includes upturned ends angularly extending toward the uppersupport surface.

According to yet another aspect, there is provided a pipe support forsupporting a pipe section above a ground surface. The pipe supportincludes an upper support surface and a sidewall extending from theupper support surface to a base member. The upper support surface andthe sidewall form a hollow interior. An inner support member extendsfrom the upper support surface and into the hollow interior. The innersupport member formed having an inner support sidewall and an innersupport bottom wall forming an inner support hollow interior. The pipesupport further includes a least one drain opening formed onto the innersupport sidewall, the drain opening providing a passageway to facilitatethe draining of fluid collecting inside the inner support member.

According to yet another aspect, there is provided a pipe support forsupporting a pipe section above a ground surface, the pipe supportincluding an upper support surface and a sidewall extending from theupper support surface to a base member, the upper support surface andthe sidewall form a hollow interior. The pipe support further includesan inner support member extending from the upper support surface andinto the hollow interior, the inner support member formed having aninner support sidewall and an inner support base forming an innersupport hollow interior. At least one handle is formed on the innersupport sidewall for lifting the pipe support.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a pipe support.

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the pipe support of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a plurality of pipe support in a stackedconfiguration for transport on a pallet.

FIG. 4 is a detail view of the pipe support of FIG. 3 .

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of a pipesupport.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the pipe support of FIG. 5 .

FIG. 7 is a section view of the pipe support of FIG. 5 taken along theline 7-7.

FIG. 8 is a detail view of a portion of the pipe support baseillustrated in FIG. 7 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a pipe support 10 forsupporting piping above the ground while, for example, along a trench orwhen inside a trench. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 , the pipesupport 10 is formed having a pipe/upper support surface 12 a front wall14, a rear wall 16 and a pair of sidewalls 18 and 20 for supporting apipe. As illustrated, for example, in FIG. 1 , front wall 14, rear wall16 and sidewalls 16 and 18 are inwardly sloped to facilitate, asdiscussed in greater detail below, stacking of multiple pipe supports 10for storage and/or transport.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 , the pipe support 10 comprisesa generally rectangular base 22 formed by sidewalls 18 and 20 that areshorter in length than front and rear walls 14 and 16. It should beunderstood, however, that base 22 may be otherwise shaped. For example,base 22 may be square, in which walls 14, 16, 18 and 20 are all of thesame length. In other embodiments, by way of example, the base 22 may becircular having a single sidewall that conically extends upward to theupper support surface 12.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 , the upper the upper supportsurface 12, includes a pair of saddles 24 and 26 extendingperpendicularly with respect to each other. As illustrated, the saddles24 and 26 are curved to support and/or otherwise cradle a pipe (notillustrated) thereon. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 , saddle24 is sized having a diameter that is longer than the diameter of thesaddle 26. While the upper support surface 12 of FIG. 1 contains twosaddles 24 and 26, it should be understood that a greater or fewernumber of saddles 24 and 26 may be utilized. For example, according toone embodiment, only a single saddle is utilized. In other embodiments,three or more saddles can be utilized having differing diameters toaccommodate and otherwise support pipes of differing diameters.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 , an inner support member 32 is employedto advantage. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the innersupport member 32 extends from the upper support surface 12 downwardtoward the base 22 to provide additional support for the pipe support 10when a pipe rests on and is otherwise supported on the upper supportsurface. The inner support member 32 is formed having sidewalls 34, 36,38 and 40 and a bottom wall 42. In FIG. 2 , the sidewalls 34-40 extend alength such that the bottom wall 42 is generally on the same plane as abottom surface 44 of the base 22. As illustrated, the sidewalls 34-40form a hollow interior 46 and inwardly slope such that thecross-sectional area of the hollow interior 46 gradually decreasestowards the bottom wall 42. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 ,the cross-sectional shape of the inner support member 32 is generallyrectangular, however, it should be understood that other cross-sectionalshapes can be utilized. For example, in some embodiments, thecross-sectional shape of the inner support member 32 is square. In otherembodiments, the cross sectional shape of the inner support member iscircular. In other embodiments, as an example, the cross sectional shapeis oval. According to some embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of theinner support member 32 may be constant such that the sidewalls 34-40extend downward toward the base 22 in a generally verticalconfiguration.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the pipe support 10includes a handle 50 formed in the sidewall 34. In use, handle 48 may beused to grip the pipe support 10 in order to carry the pipe support 10to its desired location. The handle 48 may be otherwise positioned, suchas for example, on sidewalls 36, 38 or 40 or combinations thereof. Inother embodiments, in addition to or in lieu of the handle 48 beingdisposed on the inner support member 32, the handle 48 maybe disposed onany or all of the walls 14-20. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 , thehandle 48 is formed as an opening extending through the wall 34.

With continued reference to FIG. 2 , the inner support member 32includes a drain opening 50 disposed on walls 36 and 38 to such that inthe event rain or other moisture collects inside the hollow interior 46,it can drain through the opening 50. This is especially important in theevent that the pipe-stand is subjected to freezing temperatures. Ifliquid that collects at the bottom of the inner support member 32freezes, the expansion of that liquid may cause damage to the innersupport member 32. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 , two drainopenings 48 are illustrated, however, a greater or fewer number of drainopenings 50 may be utilized. For example, each wall 34-40 may utilizeone or more drain openings 48. In other embodiments, the bottom wall 42may include one or more drain openings 50.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 , the pipe support 10 includes aplurality of reinforcing ribs 60 extending from the underside 62 of theupper support surface 12 to provide extra rigidity and strength to theupper support surface 12. As illustrated, reinforcing ribs 60 extendbetween and connect the sidewalls 18, 20 and the inner support member32. In FIG. 2 , the pipe support 10 includes six reinforcing ribs: threeparallel ribs 60 extending between sidewall 18 and the inner supportmember 32 and three parallel ribs 60 extending between the sidewall 20and the inner support member 32. It should be understood that a greateror fewer number of ribs 60 may be utilized. Furthermore, such ribs 60may extend in a non-parallel fashion to provide extra support to thepipe support 10. For example, the pipe support 10 may include four ribs60 extending from each corner of the pipe support 10 (i.e., at theintersection of the front wall and rear wall 14 and 16 with thesidewalls 18 and 20, respectively) to the respective corners of theinner support member 32. Furthermore, in the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 2 , transverse ribs 64 may extend between ribs 60, as illustratedin FIG. 2 , or example. As discussed in greater detail below, in comeembodiments, the ribs 60 and/or 62 act as spacers such that whenmultiple pipe-stands 10 are stacked, the pipe-stands can be more easilypulled apart.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 , each wall 14, 16, 18 and 20include at least one recessed area 66 extending longitudinally betweenthe upper support surface 12 and the base 22. In addition to providingadditional rigidity to the pipe support 10, recessed areas 66 assist inaligning multiple pipe-stands when stacking. In the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 , each recessed area 66 is semi-circularshaped with a diameter decreasing in size as the slot approaches thebase 22; however, it should be understood that the recessed areas 66 maybe otherwise shaped and sized.

According to some embodiments, the base 22 includes a bottom surface 68having a desired width 70 (FIG. 2 ) such that when the pipe support 10is supported on the ground surface, the combined weight of the pipe (notillustrated) and the pipe support 10 is transferred to, in addition tothe inner support member 32, the walls 14-20 and through the bottomflange 68. Referring specifically to FIGS. 1 and 3 , the base 22includes a plurality of spaced apart reinforcing ribs 52 to provideadditional rigidity to the base 22.

According to embodiments disclosed herein, the outward sloping walls14-20 and the inward sloping walls 34-40, coupled with the recessedareas 66 extending longitudinally along the walls 14-20 facilitatestacking of multiple pipe supports 10. Referring specifically to FIG. 3, multiple pipe supports 10 are stacked on a pallet 72 for ease oftransport and/or storage. In FIG. 3 , the size of the pipe supports 10are such that four stacks of pipe supports 10 can be adjacentlypositioned onto the pallet 72. It should be understood, however, thatthe pipe supports can be of a different size such that, for example, inthe event they are smaller, more stacks can be stored on the pallet 72,or they can be larger, such that a fewer number of stacks can beaccommodated on the pallet 72.

Referring now to FIG. 5 , an alternate design of pipe support 10 isprovided. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 , the pipe stand 10includes a front wall 100, a rear wall 102, a pair of side walls 104 and106, a top wall or support surface 108 and an opposed bottom wall 110forming a base 112. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 , the pipesupport 10 comprises a generally square base 112 formed by walls 100,102, 104 and 106 of equidistant length. It should be understood,however, that the base 112 may be otherwise shaped. For example, base112 may be rectangular, oval, circular, or any other desiredconfiguration. In FIGS. 5-7 the base 112 extends outward from the walls100, 102, 104 and 106, and as explained in greater detail below, isformed to allow tilting of the pipe support 10 during use.

Similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 , the walls 100, 102,104 and 106 angularly extend from the top surface 108 outward forming ahollow interior 109 to facilitate stacking of multiple pipe supports 10.In FIG. 5 , for example, the walls 100, 102, 104 and 106 extendangularly outward from the top surface 108 such that a cross sectionalarea of the pipe support 10 gradually increases as it approaches thebase 112. In operation, the increase in cross-sectional area acts toresist tilting of the pipe support 10.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 7 , the support surface 108includes at least one saddle 116. As illustrated, the saddle 116 iscurved to support and/or otherwise cradle a pipe thereon. While thesupport surface 108 of FIG. 5 contains one saddle 116, it should beunderstood that a greater number of saddles 116 may be utilized. Forexample, according to one embodiment, only a single saddle 116 isutilized. However, two, three or more saddles can be utilized, with atleast some of the saddles 116 having differing diameters to accommodateand otherwise support pipes of differing diameters.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6 , each of the walls 100, 102, 104 and 106have at least one protrusion or rib 118 extending therefrom. In theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 , for example, each wall 100,102, 104 and 106 has one protrusion forming a star-like cross section ofthe pipe support 10. Referring specifically to FIG. 5 , each rib 118 isformed integral with respective sidewalls 100, 102, 104 and 106 and isgenerally triangular in cross-sectional shape such that walls 120 and122 intersect and/or otherwise meet at an apex or point 124. It shouldbe understood, however, that ribs 118 may be otherwise configured. Forexample, each rib 118 may be one continuous curved sidewall, rectangularhaving more than two sidewalls, or any other configuration ofcombination thereof. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 ,each rib 118 extends continuously from and between the top surface 108to the base 112. It should be understood, however, that each rib 118 mayextend only partially between the top surface 106 and the base 112.Furthermore, while each wall 100, 102, 104 and 106 contains a single rib118, it should be understood that walls 100, 102, 104 and/or 106 maycontain no rib 118, multiple ribs 118, or any combination thereof.

According to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 , one or more of theribs 118 may contain an opening 140 extending there through so as toprovide a handle for moving and/or otherwise handling the pipe support10. In FIG. 5 , the opening extends through the wall 122, however,additionally and/or alternatively, the an opening 140 may also be formedthrough the wall 122 or on any other portion of the walls 100, 102, 104and/or 106, the top surface 108 or any combination thereof.

With continued reference to FIG. 5 , the base 112 includes a pluralityof spaced apart reinforcing ribs 142 to provide additional rigidity tothe base 112.

Referring specifically to FIG. 6 , the saddle 118 contains two opposedends 130 and 132, which are formed by top walls 134 of ribs 118 at eachend of the saddle 116. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6 , the topwalls 134 angularly extend downward from the bottommost surface 136 ofthe saddle 116 and angle 138. In some embodiments, the angle 138 is 3degrees. However, it should be understood that the angle 138 can belarger or smaller. In operation, the angle 138 enables the pipe support10 to accommodate pipes that are partially resting on the ground fromthe opposed end that is being supported on the pipe support 10.

Referring now to FIG. 8 , a portion of the base 112 is illustrated. InFIG. 8 , the base 112 optionally includes an upturned or upwardly flaredend 140 extending at an angle 142. According to some the angle 142 is 30degrees from the bottom surface 110; however, it should be understoodthat the angle 142 can be a larger or smaller angle. In use, theupturned end 140 allows the pipe support 10 to tilt at slight angles tominimize stress and damage to the base 112 if/when the pipe support 10tilts.

In the foregoing description of certain embodiments, specificterminology has been resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, thedisclosure is not intended to be limited to the specific terms soselected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includesother technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner toaccomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as “left” and right”,“front” and “rear”, “above” and “below” and the like are used as wordsof convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construedas limiting terms.

In this specification, the word “comprising” is to be understood in its“open” sense, that is, in the sense of “including”, and thus not limitedto its “closed” sense, that is the sense of “consisting only of”. Acorresponding meaning is to be attributed to the corresponding words“comprise”, “comprised” and “comprises” where they appear.

In addition, the foregoing describes some embodiments of the disclosure,and alterations, modifications, additions and/or changes can be madethereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosedembodiments, the embodiments being illustrative and not restrictive.

Furthermore, the disclosure is not to be limited to the illustratedimplementations, but on the contrary, is intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the disclosure. Also, the various embodiments described abovemay be implemented in conjunction with other embodiments, e.g., aspectsof one embodiment may be combined with aspects of another embodiment torealize yet other embodiments. Further, each independent feature orcomponent of any given assembly may constitute an additional embodiment.

What is claimed is:
 1. A pipe support for supporting a pipe sectionabove a ground surface, the pipe support comprising: a support surfaceand a sidewall extending from the support surface to a base member; asaddle formed in the support surface, the saddle configured to support apipe, the saddle having a first end and a second end disposed oppositefrom the first end; a rib extending from the sidewall and aligned withthe first end or the second end of the saddle, and having a top surfaceand a side surface; and wherein the top surface forms a portion of thesaddle and extends towards the base member at an angle and the sidesurface extends at an angle from the top surface.
 2. The pipe support ofclaim 1, wherein the sidewall comprises a front wall, a rear wall and apair of sidewalls extending between the front wall and the rear wall. 3.The pipe support of claim 1, wherein the sidewall extends from thesupport surface to the base member.
 4. The pipe support of claim 1,wherein the sidewall further comprises an opening configured to be ahandle.
 5. The pipe support of claim 1, wherein the sidewall slopesoutward from the support surface to the base member.
 6. The pipe supportof claim 1, wherein the rib has a triangular cross-sectional shape. 7.The pipe support of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of ribsextending from the sidewall.
 8. The pipe support of claim 1, wherein thesaddle has a curvilinear shape.
 9. The pipe support of claim 1, whereinthe rib includes a first wall and a second wall that intersect at anapex.
 10. A pipe support comprising: an upper wall and a sidewall, theupper wall forming a saddle and the sidewall extending from the upperwall to a base member, the upper wall and the sidewall defining acavity; the base member having a border that extends towards the upperwall at an angle; the saddle recessed within the upper wall to support apipe, the saddle having a first end and a second end disposed oppositefrom the first end; a rib extending from the sidewall and aligned withthe first end or the second end of the saddle; and wherein the rib has atop surface forming a portion of the saddle and a side surface, whereinthe top surface angularly extends in a direction toward the base memberand the side surface angularly extends from the top surface.
 11. Thepipe support of claim 10, wherein the angle of the border is at most 30degrees.
 12. The pipe support of claim 10, wherein the border isconfigured to allow the pipe support to tilt.
 13. The pipe support ofclaim 10, wherein the sidewall further comprises an opening configuredto be a handle.
 14. The pipe support of claim 10, wherein the sidewallslopes outward from the upper wall to the base member.
 15. The pipesupport of claim 10, wherein the rib has a triangular cross-sectionalshape.
 16. The pipe support of claim 10, further comprising a pluralityof ribs extending from the sidewall.
 17. The pipe support of claim 10,wherein the saddle wherein the saddle has a curvilinear shape.
 18. Apipe support comprising: a saddle and a sidewall, wherein a portion ofthe sidewall is disposed adjacent to the saddle; a base having upturnedends that extend at a first angle toward the saddle and are configuredto allow the pipe support to tilt to a second angle, wherein at least aportion of the base is disposed adjacent to the sidewall; and a ribhaving a top surface and a side surface, wherein the top surface forms aportion of the saddle and angularly extends towards the base and theside surface angularly extends from the top surface.
 19. The pipesupport of claim 18, wherein the first angle is greater than the secondangle.
 20. The pipe support of claim 18, wherein the top surface of therib is coextensive with the saddle.